Ne le dis à personne Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Ne le dis à personne Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov March 27, 2009

A lot happens in Guillaume Canet’s thriller “Ne le dis à personne” a.k.a “Tell No One” (2006). There are multiple characters with multiple stories to tell in this film as well as a fascinating enigma that isn’t resolved until the very end. Region-Free, courtesy of French distributors EuropaCorp.

In love

The story of Tell No One revolves around Dr. Alex Beck (François Cluzet, Fin août, début septembre) whose wife, Margot Beck (Marie-Josée Croze, Deux jours à tuer), is killed during a romantic trip in the French countryside. In the beginning, Dr. Beck is considered a suspect but, later on, we learn that there are specific circumstances that have forced the police to conclude that he could not have killed his wife (such as the fact that Dr. Beck is discovered unconscious at the crime scene and consequently spends three days in a coma before he wakes up and learns that his wife has been killed).

Eight years later. Dr. Beck is living a normal life. He still thinks about his wife, but, most of the time, his work at the hospital keeps his mind at ease. He is also single and has absolutely no desire to get back into the dating scene.

One day, Dr. Beck receives an intriguing email containing a link to a recording showing a woman who looks like his deceased wife. The recording is of very poor quality and doesn’t show much but it has a profound effect on him – he begins to believe that the woman could be his wife.

Things get complicated when Dr. Beck starts questioning all sorts of different people who once played a part in Margot’s life. His lesbian sister’s (Marina Hands, Lady Chatterley) lover (Kristin Scott Thomas, I've Loved You So Long) attempts to assist him, but the more he digs up, the more frustrated he gets. Dr.Beck does learn, however, that Margot had a lover and that shocks him.

In the meantime, the Police reopen the case; there is new evidence that immediately moves Dr. Beck back on their suspect list. A powerful attorney (Nathalie Baye, Le Petit lieutenant), with a long and very impressive resume, also gets involved, but instead of staying close to her Dr. Beck runs away. Obviously, this angers the attorney and gives the police a reason to believe that he is indeed their man.

More strange things happen. Dr. Beck gets a second email with an even more revealing message. While running from the police, he is also assisted by a thug who owns him big because years ago the doctor saved his kid’s life. A powerful senator (Jean Rochefort, Le Mari de la coiffeuse) with an obsession for horse racing, whose son knew Margot very well, is also introduced to the story. Finally, Dr. Beck meets Margot’s father (Andre Dussollier, Les Enfants du Marais), a retired police captain, who believes that his son-in-law is innocent.

Based on the novel by Harlan Coben and directed by Guillaume Canet, Tell No One is a fascinating thriller that never seizes to surprise. Indeed, the film is so well scripted that even when the audience is presented with all of the missing pieces of its enigma, few would be able to correctly align them. Its pacing doesn’t make it easier either; especially during the second half of Tell No One, where all of the flashbacks from Margot’s past are introduced, you really have to pay very close attention to every small detail if you wish to avoid being shocked at the end of the film.

The acting is also top notch. Francois Cluzet is spectacular as Dr. Beck and undoubtedly the key reason why Tell No One works so well. On the other hand, we don’t see much of Marie-Josee Croze, but her presence is always felt. Also, Nathalie Baye appears only a few times but her edgy performance adds quite a bit of flavor to the story. Finally, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jean Rochefort, André Dussollier, François Berléand, Olivier Marchal and Guillaume Canet play their small but very important parts to perfection.

Ne le dis à personne Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in its original aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Guillaume Canet's Tell No One arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors EuropaCorp.

This is a solid Blu-ray disc! It was released quite some time ago and it was amongst the first English-friendly, Region-free, titles that caught my attention. It took me awhile to get it from the distributor after I requested it, but the wait was well worth it. Unfortunately, I kept putting it away because there was always a more important title to review. My initial impressions (from almost a year ago) were that Tell No One was well produced and certainly quite pleasing when blown through a digital projector. This being said, a few days ago, I watched the film again and, suffice to say, I still liked what I saw. Contrast, clarity and detail on this 1080p transfer are indeed very pleasing. Furthermore, aside from a bit of edge-enhancement that I noticed popping up here and there, Tell No One looks about as strong as one could expect a contemporary film to look. Finally, I did not detect any disturbing debris, scratches, or stains to report here. (Note: Even though this Blu-ray disc is marketed as Region-B, it is in fact Region-Free. Therefore, you could play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location).

Ne le dis à personne Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French PCM 5.1 and French DTS-HD HR 5.1. Tell No One boasts an impressive atmospheric soundtrack (with some truly terrific ambient tunes), courtesy of Mathieu Chedid, and the French PCM 5.1 track most definitely allows it to shine as best as possible. The rear channels are definitely not overly active here, but there are some rather neat sound effects that add plenty of flavor to the intriguing narrative. On the other hand, the shooting scenes are crisp yet not overdone; balance is certainly handled well and you won't have to reach for your remote control to adjust the volume. This being said, the dialog is crystal clear and exceptionally easy to follow. I personally did not detect any disturbing pops, cracks, or hissings to report here. Finally, EuropaCorp. have also provided optional English subtitles (strangely enough, there are no French subtitles on this disc) that appear outside of the image frame.

Ne le dis à personne Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are a number of interesting extras on this Blu-ray disc. First is a standard Making Of where Harlen Coben, the author of Tell No One, talks about the film adaptation (in English with imposed French subs) and how actor-director Guillaume Canet approached it. Later on, the director also shares his thoughts on the film (in French without English subtitles) while we see plenty of raw footage from the shooting process. Also, there is footage from Studio Labo M2 where the soundtrack to Tell No One was recorded. Finally, there are plenty of scattered comments from the cast addressing the film production. Next is a huge gallery with deleted scenes, a total of twenty, that could be seen with an optional commentary by Guillaume Canet (English subtitles are once again not available). Dernier Plans is a collection of multiple takes on specific scenes that, obviously, did not make into the final cut of the film (there is also a hilarious prank involving the tech crew and Francois Cluzet). Betisier offers even more from the cutting floor. Finally, the Blu-ray disc also contains Guillaume Canet's short film "J'peux pas dormer".

Ne le dis à personne Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nothing is what it seems in Guillaume Canet's Tell No One, a fast-paced thriller with a spectacular cast. The Blu-ray disc herein reviewed, courtesy of EuropaCorp., is of excellent quality. It is Region-Free, English-friendly and with a great price tag. Very Highly Recommended.